The most prestigious art galleries are in the high-rent district of Newbury Street. The biggest name on the street is the Barbara Krakow Gallery (10 Newbury St., 617/262-4490, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; or call for an appointment, www.barbarakrakowgallery.com), which draws nationally known contemporary artists.

More traditional paintings and prints are on display at the venerable Childs Gallery (169 Newbury St., 617/266-1108, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun., www.childsgallery.com), which focuses on pre-WWII American and European work.

The International Poster Gallery (205 Newbury St., 617/375-0076, by appointment only, www.internationalposter.com) is a treasure trove of original French liquor prints and Russian propaganda posters.

Anchoring the cutting-edge SoWa arts district, the Carroll and Sons Gallery (450 Harrison Ave., 617/482-2477, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri; or by appointment, www.carrollandsons.net) is the place to spot new and often local talent.

You can’t get much closer to the source of creation than the Fort Point Arts Community Gallery (300 Summer St., 617/423-4299, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Fri; weekend hours vary, www.fortpointarts.org), which exhibits the work of New England’s largest and oldest artists community in a building where many of them have their studios.